24 October 2001
Text: Bush Proposes Funding to Safeguard U.S. Food Supply
(USDA strengthens biosecurity measures) (680)
President Bush has proposed the allocation of $45.2 million to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen programs and
services related to biosecurity.
In an October 19 press release, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said
that "we must remain vigilant in protecting our nation's food and
agriculture."
The terrorist attacks on September 11 created a heightened awareness
of a possible threat to the U.S. food supply.
The funding proposed for USDA will go toward, among other things,
enhanced security for USDA facilities, and education and training to
strengthen response mechanisms to potential food supply threats. The
USDA funding is part of a $20,000 million submission to Congress for
emergency funding to strengthen government defenses against
biowarfare.
Veneman said USDA has already taken measures to ensure its programs
are responsive to potential threats. Inspectors are on heightened
alert at ports of entry and in food processing plants, and
coordination has been strengthened with other federal agencies, such
as the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Customs and law enforcement.
Following is the text of the USDA press release:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
October 19, 2001
$45.2 MILLION REQUESTED FOR USDA TO STRENGTHEN BIOSECURITY MEASURES
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2001 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
today announced that President Bush has proposed the allocation of
$45.2 million to USDA as part of a $20 billion submission to Congress
for emergency funding to strengthen essential programs and services
related to biosecurity issues.
"The President's proposed emergency funding for USDA will help advance
the next phase of our emergency preparedness activities and will help
meet our critical infrastructure needs," said Veneman. "We have taken
the appropriate steps to date to ensure the critical needs for USDA
are met, however, we must remain vigilant in protecting our nation's
food and agriculture."
The President's proposed allocation of $45.2 million to USDA will
enhance other actions taken throughout other federal departments to
increase homeland security. The funding proposed for USDA would
support:
Enhanced security for USDA facilities ($17.2 million);
Design and construction of a satellite facility at the USDA laboratory
in Ames, Iowa for research activities ($14.1 million);
Technical assistance to State, local, Federal, and private sector
entities to improve biosecurity ($5.0 million);
And education and training to strengthen response mechanisms to
potential food supply threats, improve data collection and
dissemination, and other biosecurity activities ($8.9 million).
"USDA is committed to doing our part for homeland protection," said
Veneman. "We must stand ready and ensure that we are prepared,
coordinated, and able to respond should we face an emergency."
USDA has taken responsible measures to ensure its programs and
services are responsive to potential threats. This includes inspectors
being on heightened awareness at ports of entry and in food processing
plants; increased security at appropriate USDA facilities;
strengthened coordination with state agriculture offices, other
federal entities such as the FDA, CDC, Customs, law enforcement
agencies, and industry organizations; and, an examination of short and
long term needs to ensure the continued protection of America's food
supply and agriculture against pests and diseases.
Earlier this year, USDA began an extensive review of its pest and
disease prevention and eradication programs, given the devastating
outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom and other
parts of Europe. As a result, by the end of FY 2002, USDA will have
increased its inspection personnel at our ports of entry by nearly
forty percent and will double our inspection dog teams from levels two
years ago.
This year, Veneman has authorized $40 million to expedite these
resource needs and strengthen coordination, communication and
technological capabilities. Veneman has also called for the next Farm
Bill to establish a permanent agriculture investment fund in order to
maintain and bolster the effectiveness of our nation's animal and
plant inspection services, food safety inspection services and
agricultural research.
For more information about these important issues, please visit
www.usda.gov.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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